I'm an atheist. I am uncomfortable around religious situations. I haven't started nursing school yet (14 weeks to go). I'm concerned with being confronted with people that would ask me to "Pray for them" and stuff. I don't know if this is a common occurrence among patients, etc. Aside from not wanting to be included in religious sentiments, I also am very uncomfortable with lying. I think I would find moral difficulty with saying "Okay" to someone that would ask me to pray for them.
I'd prefer to hear from atheists how they deal with situations like that. I'd rather not get into a religion discussion, if it can be avoided.
I was trying to search for old threads, but the links from the search engine are not going to the correct pages.
Loner, I'm sorry to hear that prayer makes you uncomfortable, that's a shame. I don't know what circumstances in life have led you to become an atheist, but that is your choice and you have every right to that choice. I don't think I can offer you much advice, since I have a strong faith in God, which has enriched my life beyond measure. I used to refer to myself as a loner too, and my life was quite miserable (even while going to church) before
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I have always been atheist. My family rasied me with no religion. It wasn't some 'life choice', it was simply something that didn't come up when I was growing up. I wasn't surrounded by religion, so it find it all very strange, and I'm awkward and uncomfortable around it.
My original name was my real name. I changed it. I don't think my life is lacking. I quite enjoy it, and have done some very exciting things. I've got a great boyfriend and wonderful friends. Loner is just how I feel sometimes when I realize that I'm not "like everyone else". I'm one of those types of people that, unlike everyone else on the train, will attempt to stop a thief from stealing from another person. Sometimes, knowing that I don't generally follow the same group mentality that others do makes me feel separated from the group. I wouldn't change it, and definitely not to follow something so absurd as religion.
But, as I stated, I really would like to find some suggestions to deal with people that have a completely different mentality as myself. In person, I think I would have a very difficult time not stifling laughter or just being offended by your discussion. The first word in my thread was "Atheists" so I wouldn't need to listen to people trying to convert me. You can go be a sheep and get herded by your pastor. I'd rather find my own way in life.
Why does it make you uncomfortable when patients ask you if you believe in Jesus? If you don't, you don't, if you do, you do, and you don't have to discuss your personal life/beliefs with your patients. If it's a moment where the patient is truly afraid, you might ask them, "Do you? Is there someone you would like me to call to come be with you/pray with you?" I'm not sure if they truly want to know what you personally believe, or if they are reaching out for spiritual help/guidance. That might be a good time for a chaplain referral.
But, as I stated, I really would like to find some suggestions to deal with people that have a completely different mentality as myself. In person, I think I would have a very difficult time not stifling laughter or just being offended by your discussion. The first word in my thread was "Atheists" so I wouldn't need to listen to people trying to convert me. You can go be a sheep and get herded by your pastor. I'd rather find my own way in life.
Loner ... I said my piece a few pages back, so don't have to hash it out again here.
As I remember it, you asked for help in dealing with an area which you don't understand and with which you are uncomfortable. You asked for feedback specifically from other atheists and, although many religionists answered, it seems that the atheists pretty much said the same thing ... it's about the patient, not you ... do what you're comfortable with ... if you can't comfortably grant the pt's request, find someone who can.
I agree that the poster you are answering here was a tad over the top in her assumptions regarding your personal journey, I do not agree that it was an attempt to convert you. You said yourself that you don't understand religion or why people believe as they do.
I read her posts as an attempt to articulate what her beliefs mean to her. I bring it up because your opinion that religionists are sheep herded by their pastors WILL come across, non-verbally if in no other way.
Such negative assumptions about people you don't understand is prejudice. The fact that you are an atheist and many religionists are prejudiced against you doesn't make it OK.
The take-home message is that spiritual practice is central to many folks' well-being and emotional health. We don't need to understand it to respect it.
i said in a previous post that i wouldn't attack or ridicule atheists. its unfortunate that you couldn't do the same for me. perhaps that is a difference in us because of what we believe. although you did say that you would "attempt to stop a thief from stealing from another person" and that you enjoy your life. the truth is that your very life was given to you as well as your sense of morality that makes you want to help others. god gave those to you. i have been fair by stating that i will not try to convince you to change what you believe. its up to you how you want to live your life. if you are ever interested in looking at evidence for christianity, it is out there. its in literature, archeology, astronomy, (you name it). the same cannot be said for any other "religion" i guess you and i will find out what the truth is when we stand before our maker someday. whether you like it or not, i will pray for you. (i'm sure you don't like to hear that, but believe it or not, i care about what happens to you) i will be interested in seeing if you continue to ridicule me for my beliefs or not since i have chosen to not ridicule you. "you can go be a sheep and get herded by your pastor" as for a pastor, i am not blindly following a pastor as one of his sheep as you say. my relationship with god is a personal one, not through any particular church, and its not a religion. religion is when people try to be good to please god. christianity is technically the only faith that is not a religion because we need to do nothing to please god, jesus did it all at the cross.
i said in a previous post that i wouldn't attack or ridicule atheists. its unfortunate that you couldn't do the same for me. perhaps that is a difference in us because of what we believe. although you did say that you would "attempt to stop a thief from stealing from another person" and that you enjoy your life. the truth is that your very life was given to you as well as your sense of morality that makes you want to help others. god gave those to you. i have been fair by stating that i will not try to convince you to change what you believe. its up to you how you want to live your life. if you are ever interested in looking at evidence for christianity, it is out there. its in literature, archeology, astronomy, (you name it). the same cannot be said for any other "religion" i guess you and i will find out what the truth is when we stand before our maker someday. whether you like it or not, i will pray for you. (i'm sure you don't like to hear that, but believe it or not, i care about what happens to you) i will be interested in seeing if you continue to ridicule me for my beliefs or not since i have chosen to not ridicule you. "you can go be a sheep and get herded by your pastor" as for a pastor, i am not blindly following a pastor as one of his sheep as you say. my relationship with god is a personal one, not through any particular church, and its not a religion. religion is when people try to be good to please god. christianity is technically the only faith that is not a religion because we need to do nothing to please god, jesus did it all at the cross.
i think we can agree that loner could have phrased her sentiment better. however, you've been laying the christianity sales pitch on a little thick yourself. i feel you are not being respectful to non-christians stating your beliefs as fact. i don't think you are doing it on purpose, but it comes across as superior.
Interesting thread - and good questions regarding how we deal with each other, atheists and religious people.
I do have to say though that in my particular experience, my fellow Christians don't blindly follow a pastor and do question, question and question more.
Our pastors do a "Question Sunday" a couple of times a year . . . they take questions for about a month prior and then on that Sunday, sit up front and attempt to answer the questions. ALL questions are encouraged.
We also have group studies where we tackle big questions. One last summer was about evolution and creation.
I truly don't know any religious sheep. And you should have been with me prior to my becoming a Christian - I peppered people with questions and didn't accept Christianity until I was about 28.
It is a constant learning curve - and I love that since I love learning.
Interesting thread - and good questions regarding how we deal with each other, atheists and religious people.
I do have to say though that in my particular experience, my fellow Christians don't blindly follow a pastor and do question, question and question more.
Our pastors do a "Question Sunday" a couple of times a year . . . they take questions for about a month prior and then on that Sunday, sit up front and attempt to answer the questions. ALL questions are encouraged.
We also have group studies where we tackle big questions. One last summer was about evolution and creation.
I truly don't know any religious sheep. And you should have been with me prior to my becoming a Christian - I peppered people with questions and didn't accept Christianity until I was about 28.
It is a constant learning curve - and I love that since I love learning.
steph
It's too bad that whole "sheep" thing came up. The odd part is this thread is called "How do you deal with religious people." Well, don't call them sheep would be on the list.
This is all about respect in the end. Treat people like you'd like to be treated.
It's too bad that whole "sheep" thing came up. The odd part is this thread is called "How do you deal with religious people." Well, don't call them sheep would be on the list.
This is all about respect in the end. Treat people like you'd like to be treated.
Yep, cause you could change the title to anything and we all just have to learn to deal with it.
Like, people who don't like olives? How am I supposed to be friends with people like that?
Or more seriously - how does a man who hates cats and loves dogs marry a women who has 4 cats?
Or how do I deal with taking care of a convicted child molester who is my hospice patient?
Or how do I deal with having dinner at a relative's home where they are serving liver?
Or . . . . well, you get the message. You just be polite and treat people with respect and get to know a cat or two. And spit the liver in your napkin.
This is all about respect in the end. Treat people like you'd like to be treated.
right on, abs. :)
i am a catholic but i really enjoy when patients want to include me in their life by asking for thoughts or prayers. the 1st hospital i worked at had a very high creole and hindi population and i was always honored when they would share their prayers and rituals with me. i find it fascinating and very special. it doesn't matter what religion you are or what you believe in because truly, well-wishing and nuturing people holistically is something we do and advocate for in nursing each day anyways. and i find for the most part, when people are ill and scared, help from anywhere, be it prayers or just positive energy, is comforting.
i am a catholic but i really enjoy when patients want to include me in their life by asking for thoughts or prayers. the 1st hospital i worked at had a very high creole and hindi population and i was always honored when they would share their prayers and rituals with me. i find it fascinating and very special. it doesn't matter what religion you are or what you believe in because truly, well-wishing and nuturing people holistically is something we do and advocate for in nursing each day anyways. and i find for the most part, when people are ill and scared, help from anywhere, be it prayers or just positive energy, is comforting.
One of the most interesting days I've had was in my Parish Nursing training. There were representatives from many different cultures and religious practices that came to speak and it was fascinating. The gentleman from the Sikh religion was especially kind and compassionate and a fascinating speaker.
I too appreciate being included in people's lives.
How am I supposed to be friends with people like that?
And spit the liver in your napkin.
CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN
1,017 Posts
I have always been atheist. My family rasied me with no religion. It wasn't some 'life choice', it was simply something that didn't come up when I was growing up. I wasn't surrounded by religion, so it find it all very strange, and I'm awkward and uncomfortable around it.
My original name was my real name. I changed it. I don't think my life is lacking. I quite enjoy it, and have done some very exciting things. I've got a great boyfriend and wonderful friends. Loner is just how I feel sometimes when I realize that I'm not "like everyone else". I'm one of those types of people that, unlike everyone else on the train, will attempt to stop a thief from stealing from another person. Sometimes, knowing that I don't generally follow the same group mentality that others do makes me feel separated from the group. I wouldn't change it, and definitely not to follow something so absurd as religion.
But, as I stated, I really would like to find some suggestions to deal with people that have a completely different mentality as myself. In person, I think I would have a very difficult time not stifling laughter or just being offended by your discussion. The first word in my thread was "Atheists" so I wouldn't need to listen to people trying to convert me. You can go be a sheep and get herded by your pastor. I'd rather find my own way in life.